Protective Factors in the Experience of Pregnancy and Motherhood Among Brazilian Adolescents Living With HIV: A Case-Series Report

Abstract

Pregnancy, motherhood, and HIV infection in adolescence are events with relevant biological, psychological, and social implications for mothers, their babies, and families. Our study aimed to identify protective factors of the experience of pregnancy and motherhood among young mothers living with HIV, highlighting similarities and differences. A mixed method multiple-case study was conducted with three young primiparous mothers (ages 17 to 19 years), whose babies were 4 to 6 months old. Participants were recruited from specialized care services in Porto Alegre, Brazil. Data were collected using social support and adherence-to-treatment questionnaires and a semi-structured interview. The following protective factors were identified: positive feelings about motherhood, positive assessments of received care and couple relationships, disclosure of HIV diagnosis to family members, family support, and accountability for infant care. Longitudinal studies would enhance the understanding of these factors, particularly if carried out with adolescents of different ages and focused on coping strategies.

Analysing the experience of motherhood among adolescents living with HIV

“…For some, motherhood has acted protectively, serving as a stimulus to self-care, especially to prevent MTCT of HIV, but also for the treatment itself. These findings are in agreement with prior works conducted in Brazil (Carvalho & Piccinini, 2006;Vescovi et al, 2014) and United States (D'Auria et al,…”

“…This may suggest that mothers are, to some extent, coping well with the HIV diagnosis. It is possible that pregnancy and motherhood may have a protective effect for psychological wellbeing, i.e., pregnancy and early motherhood might have buffered the negative effects of the HIV diagnosis (Pereira & Canavarro, 2012;Vescovi et al, 2014). Moreover, it is plausible that these adolescents could be in denial, which is a common defense mechanism used in such situations (Bedimo, Bessinger, & Kissinger, 1998).…”

“…As one of the most important modes of HIV transmission is through breast milk, these mothers are oriented not to breastfeed, which causes distress. In studies with adult mothers, the indication of feelings of guilt, frustration and sadness resulting from (Vescovi, Pereira, & Levandowski, 2014). Therefore, studying motherhood during adolescence in the context of HIV is of utmost importance, so that, along with the increase of knowledge about this theme and this specific population, strategies of health care better adapted to the context and needs of adolescent mothers may be developed and implemented.…”

VIH en gestantes indígenas: un reto para la salud pública peruana

“…Buena parte de la atención que se da a una gestante o puérpera con VIH depende de consideraciones culturales que pueden poner en riesgo su salud y la de sus niños (22) . Las madres viviendo con VIH, sus interpretaciones y prácticas en relación a la enfermedad, así como sus acciones de prevención, no solo dependen de la oferta de salud sino de sus entornos familiares y comunitarios, lo cual genera factores de riesgo y protección (23,24) . Parte de las acciones de cuidado y prevención desarrolladas durante el embarazo, parto o puerperio dependen de la información a la que ha tenido acceso la paciente y su familia.…”

Fatores De Risco Para a Maternidade Entre Adolescentes Vivendo Com Hiv

“…Assim, embora exista evidência de que a maternidade na adolescência pode atuar como um contexto protetor (Barr, Simons, Simons, Gibbons, & Gerrard, 2013), como também evidenciado entre mães adolescentes que viviam com o HIV (Vescovi, Pereira, & Levandowski, 2014), a vivência simultânea da gravidez/maternidade, da adolescência e da infecção pelo HIV é uma situação emocionalmente complexa, podendo impactar a TARV e o seu cumprimento, bem como a vivência da maternidade e a relação com o bebê. Deste modo, pode ser considerada como uma situação de risco.…”